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Detective Frank Miller #5
Murder On The Record
AN UNPUTDOWNABLE POLICE PROCEDURAL SET IN THE ATMOSPHERIC YORKSHIRE TOWN OF WHITBY.
Summer has faded and a mist blows over the coastal town of Whitby. All is quiet. But a sophisticated killer is on the loose.
After a short leave of absence, Detective Frank Miller returns to his beloved Whitby, where he’s called out to a robbery.
He's surprised to learn that nothing is missing. Instead, a vinyl has been left at the scene.
Later that evening, Miller gazes out of his apartment window and sees a woman waving at him. When he looks again, she is lying unconscious on the pavement.
Miller rushes to her aid but he’s too late. The woman dies in his arms.
As Miller’s investigation kicks off, seven more break-ins occur at Whitby businesses. And at each crime scene an old vinyl is left.
The deeper Miller digs, the more complex the investigation becomes. And even more perplexing are the connections between this case and a string of missing women.
Seven vinyls and seven disappearances.
But what does it all mean? And why don’t the clues add up? Miller and DS Riddle must act fast to decode the killer’s sinister messages before he strikes again.
This utterly thrilling mystery is perfect for fans of L.J. Ross, Roger Silverwood, J R Ellis, J M Dalgliesh, or Ann Cleeves.
READERS LOVE MURDER ON THE
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Kept me gripped from start to finish.’ Teresa
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I love this series!’ Wanda D
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘It is wonderful to read detailed descriptions of things in and around Whitby.’ Linda P
THE DETECTIVE
Detective Inspector Frank Miller has a reputation as the youngest Chief in the force’s history. He eschewed the Graduate Training Scheme in favour of working his way up from the bottom – and this status can make him a little officious. His features are round, his hair – flopping despondently on his shoulders – dirty blonde, and his eyes bright blue.
THE SETTING
The small coastal town of Whitby is split in two by the River Esk, which runs from the North Yorkshire Moors into the town’s harbour, where it joins the North Sea. This natural divide has created two sides to town, linked by a swing bridge. The new side is largely Victorian, glowing with visitor attractions. The old side is home to the cobbled alleyways and dark fog banks that give the town its ancient charm. There, at the top of the 199 steps, are the foreboding Abbey ruins – their ghostly outline hanging above the town.
DCI Frank Miller Series
Book 1: Death’s Disciple
Book 2: The Eve of Murder
Book 3: Bidding to Die
Book 4: Better the Devil You Know
Book 5: Murder on the Record
Summer has faded and a mist blows over the coastal town of Whitby. All is quiet. But a sophisticated killer is on the loose.
After a short leave of absence, Detective Frank Miller returns to his beloved Whitby, where he’s called out to a robbery.
He's surprised to learn that nothing is missing. Instead, a vinyl has been left at the scene.
Later that evening, Miller gazes out of his apartment window and sees a woman waving at him. When he looks again, she is lying unconscious on the pavement.
Miller rushes to her aid but he’s too late. The woman dies in his arms.
As Miller’s investigation kicks off, seven more break-ins occur at Whitby businesses. And at each crime scene an old vinyl is left.
The deeper Miller digs, the more complex the investigation becomes. And even more perplexing are the connections between this case and a string of missing women.
Seven vinyls and seven disappearances.
But what does it all mean? And why don’t the clues add up? Miller and DS Riddle must act fast to decode the killer’s sinister messages before he strikes again.
This utterly thrilling mystery is perfect for fans of L.J. Ross, Roger Silverwood, J R Ellis, J M Dalgliesh, or Ann Cleeves.
READERS LOVE MURDER ON THE
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Kept me gripped from start to finish.’ Teresa
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I love this series!’ Wanda D
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘It is wonderful to read detailed descriptions of things in and around Whitby.’ Linda P
THE DETECTIVE
Detective Inspector Frank Miller has a reputation as the youngest Chief in the force’s history. He eschewed the Graduate Training Scheme in favour of working his way up from the bottom – and this status can make him a little officious. His features are round, his hair – flopping despondently on his shoulders – dirty blonde, and his eyes bright blue.
THE SETTING
The small coastal town of Whitby is split in two by the River Esk, which runs from the North Yorkshire Moors into the town’s harbour, where it joins the North Sea. This natural divide has created two sides to town, linked by a swing bridge. The new side is largely Victorian, glowing with visitor attractions. The old side is home to the cobbled alleyways and dark fog banks that give the town its ancient charm. There, at the top of the 199 steps, are the foreboding Abbey ruins – their ghostly outline hanging above the town.
DCI Frank Miller Series
Book 1: Death’s Disciple
Book 2: The Eve of Murder
Book 3: Bidding to Die
Book 4: Better the Devil You Know
Book 5: Murder on the Record
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2023
About the author
James Whitworth
16 books14 followersJames Whitworth is a nationally syndicated cartoonist and writer. His daily news cartoons appear in papers across the UK from Scotland to the south of England, including the Sheffield Star and the Edinburgh Evening News. He draws a weekly news cartoon for the Sheffield Telegraph as well contributing to The Author, Hi-Fi News, Copper (in America) and the Dalesman. He has contributed cartoons to a wide range of publications including Private Eye (for whom he has also written gags), Prospect', Phoenix and The Independent.
Born in Sheffield, United Kingdom, Whitworth was educated at Tapton School and Sheffield Hallam University, where he graduated with a degree in English language and literature. He also holds a post graduate degree in English.
Whitworth lectures in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an Associate Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, Derby University, Leeds Trinity, and Huddersfield. He teaches Public Affairs to NCTJ apprentices. He has also published widely on the history of newspaper cartoons as well as speaking at literary festivals. His new novel, File Under Murder, is due for publication in 2021.
Born in Sheffield, United Kingdom, Whitworth was educated at Tapton School and Sheffield Hallam University, where he graduated with a degree in English language and literature. He also holds a post graduate degree in English.
Whitworth lectures in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an Associate Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, Derby University, Leeds Trinity, and Huddersfield. He teaches Public Affairs to NCTJ apprentices. He has also published widely on the history of newspaper cartoons as well as speaking at literary festivals. His new novel, File Under Murder, is due for publication in 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 25, 2017
4 stars
DCI Frank Miller, lover of classical music and of Dr. Alice Laine. Dr. Laine specializes in classical 19th Century literature. Miller’s partner is DS Riddle. The DCI has been away in a teaching position when he returns to Whitby to take up his position once more as a DCI.
He glances out the window on the evening before his return to work as notices a woman waving at him from the sidewalk. Racing downstairs, he checks the woman. She has a head wound and her pulse if faint. She utters his name and then dies. Her name was Abi Witney and she was a post-graduate student of Dr. Laine’s.
Concurrently, DS Riddle is investigating a confounding series of burglaries where a record album is left instead of anything being taken. After one of the team is attacked and is hospitalized, Miller decides to take control of the burglaries in addition to the murder investigation.
After being frustrated and impatient, Frank finally begins to see a glimmer of a connection between the woman who was murdered and the burglaries. Up to this point there have been seven burglaries. And coincidentally, seven young women have gone missing. The case continues to confound Frank and his team until they at last get a break.
The name of the killer and the motive come as a surprise.
This is a fairly well written and plotted novel. The characters are likeable, and the police team all gets along well. This is my first James Whitworth novel, but I immediately went to Amazon to look at his other books.
I want to thank Netgalley and Endeavour Press for forwarding to me a copy of this nice book to read.
DCI Frank Miller, lover of classical music and of Dr. Alice Laine. Dr. Laine specializes in classical 19th Century literature. Miller’s partner is DS Riddle. The DCI has been away in a teaching position when he returns to Whitby to take up his position once more as a DCI.
He glances out the window on the evening before his return to work as notices a woman waving at him from the sidewalk. Racing downstairs, he checks the woman. She has a head wound and her pulse if faint. She utters his name and then dies. Her name was Abi Witney and she was a post-graduate student of Dr. Laine’s.
Concurrently, DS Riddle is investigating a confounding series of burglaries where a record album is left instead of anything being taken. After one of the team is attacked and is hospitalized, Miller decides to take control of the burglaries in addition to the murder investigation.
After being frustrated and impatient, Frank finally begins to see a glimmer of a connection between the woman who was murdered and the burglaries. Up to this point there have been seven burglaries. And coincidentally, seven young women have gone missing. The case continues to confound Frank and his team until they at last get a break.
The name of the killer and the motive come as a surprise.
This is a fairly well written and plotted novel. The characters are likeable, and the police team all gets along well. This is my first James Whitworth novel, but I immediately went to Amazon to look at his other books.
I want to thank Netgalley and Endeavour Press for forwarding to me a copy of this nice book to read.
May 18, 2017
Only after starting to read this book did I see that it's the 5th in a series featuring Detective Miller. Perhaps this is why it took me a while to warm to the characters.
What has this book got:
A murdered mature student,
A dead cat,
7 records left at break-ins and
A dodgy tourist boat.
It also has a few red herrings and a twist in the tale.
I have not read any books by James Whitworth before this, but I will look out for others in the future.
My thanks to Netgalley and Endeavour Press for a copy in exchange for this review.
What has this book got:
A murdered mature student,
A dead cat,
7 records left at break-ins and
A dodgy tourist boat.
It also has a few red herrings and a twist in the tale.
I have not read any books by James Whitworth before this, but I will look out for others in the future.
My thanks to Netgalley and Endeavour Press for a copy in exchange for this review.
January 9, 2019
murder on the record
very interesting book. i love this series. miller the head dectitive always gets his murderer.
in this book they are looking for a killer of a youngwoman.
which in turn turns up mire murders
very interesting book. i love this series. miller the head dectitive always gets his murderer.
in this book they are looking for a killer of a youngwoman.
which in turn turns up mire murders
May 27, 2023
The power of seven
Good plot, well written. Interesting that the author chose 7 missing girls . Did he choose it because 7 is a special number: 7 days of the week, 7 deadly sins, 7 wonders of the world ...
And it took me 7 hours to read the book. I'm a slow reader
Good plot, well written. Interesting that the author chose 7 missing girls . Did he choose it because 7 is a special number: 7 days of the week, 7 deadly sins, 7 wonders of the world ...
And it took me 7 hours to read the book. I'm a slow reader
April 5, 2024
A good series
A good series . All good books cleverly composed with good characters and a great setting of Whitby . The scenes are set so well with detailed descriptions of Whitbys venues and vistas that I almost feel like I'm there .
A good series . All good books cleverly composed with good characters and a great setting of Whitby . The scenes are set so well with detailed descriptions of Whitbys venues and vistas that I almost feel like I'm there .
October 18, 2018
GOt to love a Sheffield lad who sets his books in Whitby.
August 12, 2023
Great books
Lots of twists and turns in the plots, having visited whitby a number of times, you can picture the areas.
Lots of twists and turns in the plots, having visited whitby a number of times, you can picture the areas.
December 26, 2024
Great storylines and characters loved it couldn’t put it down would recommend to everyone
August 3, 2025
Great read
Excellent story line
Looking forward to the next book
Excellent story line
Looking forward to the next book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews